The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mike Achimugu, has provided clarification on why Fuji musician KWAM1 has not been arraigned in court, unlike Ms. Emmanson, who was recently prosecuted for unruly behavior aboard an Ibom Air flight.
Following Emmanson’s arraignment before a Lagos Magistrate Court, many Nigerians took to social media demanding similar legal action against KWAM1, citing alleged disruptive conduct during a flight.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV on August 12, Achimugu explained that, in KWAM1’s case, the airline involved chose not to press charges—unlike Ibom Air, which actively pursued legal action against Emmanson, resulting in her arraignment.
“The airline [in KWAM1’s case]did not activate its right to take the passenger to court. As a result, the NCAA petitioned relevant authorities to prosecute the passenger and issued an advisory to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) recommending a flight ban,” Achimugu stated.
He further clarified that the NCAA does not have the legal authority to prosecute individuals. However, the agency has formally petitioned both the Attorney General of the Federation and the Nigeria Police to take up the case against KWAM1.
“In the Ibom Air case, the airline immediately exercised its right to seek legal redress, possibly because a member of staff was assaulted. NCAA was not involved in the legal proceedings in that instance,” he added.
